Halloween Dangers for Dogs

Hallowe'en DANGERS (or dogs Risk factors: • People in costumes can be alarming to dogs. A barking dog is not a calm dog. • Ringing door bells, door-knocking and excited children can exhaust or upset dogs making them less tolerant and more likely to react badly. • Opening doors are opportuni- ties for dogs to plan an escape. • Dogs can't predict what will happen next on Hallowe'en, and this stresses them out. • Do not leave dogs outside where they could be victim to Hallowe'en mischief. • Decorations can be a problem when dogs knock them over or become entangled. • Dark chocolate can cause neurological and heart problems. • Candy and candy wrappers can cause intestinal problems causing the dog to feel unwell. • People miss the signs of stress the dog is communicating. • Some artificial sweeteners found in gum can be poisonous and cause seizures. HALLOWE'EN CAN BE SCARY FOR DOGS! When dogs are stressed, dog aggression is more likely to occur Common Signs of Stress •Licking lips •Turning head or body away •Panting •Pulled back ears •Whites of the eyes showing •Stiff body posture •Growling, showing teeth, barking •Dilated pupils •Legs and tail are held in tight •Resisting "doing what they're told" If you see these signs help the dog to move to a safer place Costs of dog aggression Trauma (dog bite wounds) veterinary costs: $1,000 - $10,000+ Can be sued up to years afterwards. Can lose home owner's insurance. Loss of family and neighbor goodwill. Can result in authorities requiring you put down your dog. Loss of peace of mind. Practice safety and avoidance. 12/2zz2" Find a relaxing place for your dog. Board your dog if you have to for Halloween. K9aggression.com Committed to making a positive differ- ence in the lives of aggressive dogs and those around them.